Bootjack

ABSTRACT

A simultaneously collapsible and extensible bootjack comprises in combination a heel accommodating plate and a stabilizing plate, the two being in slidable relationship, and an understructure for supporting said plates in an operative inclined position, such understructure lying in flat collapsed relationship against the plates when these are in optimum overlapping relationship, the understructure being hingedly connected to the said plates.

United States Patent [1 1 Mayer 51 May 22, 1973 BOOTJACK [76] Inventor:Nicholas Mayer, 86 Grenfell Street.

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: May 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 255,008

[52] US. Cl ..223/l16, 248/439 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47j 51/02 [58] Field ofSearch 223/1 13-120;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 785,045 3/1905 McDonald .Q..223/1 15 1,636,010 7/1927 Moland 2,603,393 7/1952 Oblusteel 3,027,6644/1962 Dailey ..38/l39 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 9,684 5/l908Great Britain ..223/1 15 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin AssistantExaminer-William L. Falk Attorney-C. C. Kent [5 7] ABSTRACT Asimultaneously collapsible and extensible bootjack comprises incombination a heel accommodating plate and a stabilizing plate, the twobeing in slidable relationship, and an understructure for supportingsaid plates in an operative inclined position, such understructure lyingin flat collapsed relationship against the plates when these are inoptimum overlapping relationship, the understructure being hingedlyconnected to the said plates,

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented May 22, 1973 3,734,364

2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented May 22, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet P.

BOOTJACK The present invention relates to a simultaneously collapsibleand extensible bootjack consisting essentially of two longitudinally andtelescopically interfacially slidable plates, one of which accommodatesthe heel of the footwear of the user to facilitate the removal of same,the other plate constituting a stabilizer plate, the two plates go inoperable position being at a co-planar angle to horizontal and sosupported by understructure which is hingedly connected to the undersideof all said plates such that when the latter are in optimum overlappingor closed relationship, the understructure will be flat lying againstone side of the plates and thus occupy very small compass for storage,shipping and the like.

The known prior art comprises the US. Pat. Nos. 744,260 of 1903 toThompson, 960,042 of 1910 to Seckendorff, 1,849,282 of 1932 toChurchill, 1,274,500 of 1918 to Bell, 1,893,280 of 1933 to Gerfen, and2,603,393 of 1952 to Oblusteel.

All of these are foldable bootjacks of various kinds but none of themcombine foldability or collapsability of an understructure witheffective shortening of a pair of sole plates (herein called the steelplate and the stabilizer plate), and particularly wherein the shorteningof such two plates automatically and in itself involves the collapsingof the understructure in the same action.

Advantages of the present invention reside in the simplicity and speedwith which the bootjack can be changed from inoperable folded conditioninto extended and inclined position. Particularly for those who musthave recourse to frequent putting on and taking off of overshoes and thelike a bootjack having the present advantages commends itself as well asfor those who cannot easily stoop down or stand on one leg when removingsuch as overshoes. In virtue of the compactness of the present form ofthe invention the same can readily be slipped into the overcoat pocketor briefcase so reducing the possibility of a time wasting operation,embarrassment and possible accidents.

With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in view,and such others as may become apparent from consideration of thisdisclosure and specification, the present invention consists of and ishereby claimed to reside in the inventive concept which is comprised,embodies, embraced, or included in any method, process, construction,composition, arrangement or combination or parts, or new use of any ofthe foregoing which may herein be exemplified in one or more specificembodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of the invented bootjack in situ.

FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the bootjack in folded orcollapsed condition viewed from the upperside.

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 33 FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an underside planned view of the invented bootjack. 1

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the invented bootjack.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross section 6-6 of FIG. 5.

In the drawings, like characters of reference designate similar parts inthe several Figures.

CLAIM-CONSTANT PRELIMINARY DESCRIPTION Initially describing thesubject-matter hereof in terms generally consonant with those by whichthe same is defined and claimed as an invention, the present bootjackcomprises an upper or sole-supporting structure collectively designated10, and an understructure collectively designated 12. The upperstructure consists of a heel accommodating plate 14 and a stabilizingplate 16. These plates are interfacially and longitudinally slidablebetween extended operative position and an overlapping collapsedposition, the understructure being hingedly connected to the plateaforesaid it opposite ends thereof.

The understructure 12 comprises essentially a rotatably elevatingheel-plate supporting element 18 which is hingedly connected at one end20 thereof to the stabilizing plate 16, and a stabilizing plateconnecting element 22 hingedly connected at one end 24 thereof to saidheel accommodating plate 14, the two elements being also hingedlyconnected together at the remaining ends at 26.

The plate 14 and 16 are in telescopic interfacial sliding relationship,longitudinal lateral flanges 28 being provided on heel plate 14 toaccommodate the corre sponding edges 30 of stabilizer plate 16 whichcorresponding edges are also in the form of flanges (FIG. 6).

Elements 18 and 22 are substantially in the form of plates, the end 24of element 22 being hingedly connected to the end 32 of heelaccommodating plate 14 which is remote from that against which the heelof a piece of footwear is received to remove the same. This is the heelcavity generally designated 34. The end 20 indicates that heel-plateelevating and supporting element 18 is hingedly connected to that end ofstabilizing plate 16 which is nearest to the footwear receiving end ofplate 14 (i.e. the cavity 34).

MAIN DESCRIPTION The two plates 14 and 16 slide telescopically, thelatter within the former between the fully extended position of FIG. 5and the fully collapsed or shortened position of FIGS. 2, 3 or 4. Sincethe understructure elements or plates 18 and 22 are hingedly connectedtogether at 26 and since the upper end of 18 is connected to the heelcavity end of stabilizing plate 16 and element 22 is hingedly connectedat 24 to the end 32 of heel-plate 14 which is remote from the said heelcavity, it follows that when the two plates, as best shown for thepresent purpose in FIG. 5 are pushed end-wise together into maximuminterfacial contact as indicated by the arrows 36 and 38, the hinges 20and 24 will move apart. Simultaneously the hinge 26 will move toward theunderside of the shortening or collapsing plate-pair until the finalposition of FIG. 3 is reached. The device is now fully collapsed. Toopen one simply pulls the most distant end of plates 14 and 16 apart orin directions opposite to arrows 36 and 38. Then the bootjack graduallythough quickly assumes the position of FIG. 5 until the transverseobstructing piece of metal 40 prevents further movement to the right ofthe stabilizing plate 16 due to the surface of the stabilizing platecoming up against the detent 42 it being understood that, as best shownin FIG. 2, stabilizing plate 16 is provided with longitudinallyextending central gutter 44 which ends at 46 (FIG. 3) a small gap whichcomes up against the 42 to limit further lengthening travel of thestabilizing plates 16. The end 48 of transverse metal extension 50 abutsstabilizing plate 16 limiting movement of the plate 16 to the left whenthe device is in the collapsed position.

As to be seen best from FIG. the plates 18 and 22 are also preferablyflanged at 52 and 54.

Various modifications may be constructed or performed within the scopeof the inventive concept disclosed. Therefore what has been set forth isintended to illustrate such concept and is not for the purpose oflimiting protection to any herein particularly described embodimentthereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A simultaneously collapsible and extensible bootjack comprising incombination a heel accommodating plate, a stabilizing plate and anunderstructure for supporting said plates in an operative inclinedposition, said plates being interfacially and longitudinally slidablebetween extended position and overlapping collapsed position, saidunderstructure being hingedly connected to said plates at opposite endsthereof,

the hingedly connected understructure comprising essentially a rotatablyelevating heel-plate support ing element hingedly connected at one endthereof to said stabilizing plate, and a stabilizing plate conheelaccommodating plate is provided with said lateral flanges.

4. The invention according to claim 3 in which said elements aresubstantially in the form of plates, one end of said stabilizing plateconnecting element being hingedly connected to the end of said heelaccommodating plate which is remote from that against which the heel ofa piece of footwear is received to remove the same, one end of saidheelplate elevating and supporting element being hingedly connected tothe end of said stabilizing plate which is the nearer to said footwearreceiving end of said heel accommodating plate.

1. A simultaneously collapsible and extensible bootjack comprising incombination a heel accommodating plate, a stabilizing plate and anunderstructure for supporting said plates in an operative inclinedposition, said plates being interfacially and longitudinally slidablebetween extended position and overlapping collapsed position, saidunderstructure being hingedly connected to said plates at opposite endsthereof, the hingedly connected understructure comprising essentially arotatably elevating heel-plate supporting element hingedly connected atone end thereof to said stabilizing plate, and a stabilizing plateconnecting element hingedly connected at one end thereof to said heelaccommodating plate, said elements being also hingedly connectedtogether at the remaining end thereof, said understructure lying in flatcollapsed relationship against said plates when said plates are inoptimum overlapping relationship.
 2. The invention according to claim 1in which said plates are in telescopic interfacial sliding relationship,longitudinal lateral flanges being provided on one of said plates toaccommodate the corresponding edges of the other.
 3. The inventionaccording to claim 2 in which said heel accommodating plate is providedwith said lateral flanges.
 4. The invention according to claim 3 inwhich said elements are substantially in the form of plates, one end ofsaid stabilizing plate connecting element being hingedly connected tothe end of said heel accommodating plate which is remote from thatagainst which the heel of a piece of footwear is received to remove thesame, one end of said heelplate elevating and supporting element beinghingedly connected to the end of said stabilizing plate which is thenearer to said footwear receiving end of said heel accommodating plate.